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Hua Zhang, Greer US

Hua Zhang, Greer, SC US

Patent application numberDescriptionPublished
20080202092Mixer for cooling and sealing air system of turbomachinery - A system is provided for directing air from plural compressor ports to provide cooling and/or sealing air to an associated turbine site. A first flow from a pressure stage of the compressor has a first pressure and temperature. A second flow from another pressure stage of the compressor has a second pressure and temperature. The first and second pressures/temperatures are different. An ejector has two inlets for receiving the first and second flows, and output for combining the first and second flows into a third flow. The pressure and temperature of the third flow are different from the first and second pressures and temperatures. A bypass line is connected between the first flow and the third flow, and provides a bypass flow. A mixer combines the bypass flow and the third flow into a fourth flow. The fourth flow has a pressure and temperature intermediate the pressure and temperature of the bypass flow and the third flow. The mixer comprises inner and outer sections. The inner section is generally cylindrical in cross section and has a plurality of holes therein. The angle between the direction of the bypass flow and the direction of the third flow, when the bypass flow meets the third flow in the mixer, is less than about 90 degrees.08-28-2008
20090053035APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR REDUCING ECCENTRICITY AND OUT-OF-ROUNDNESS IN TURBINES - A turbine includes: a plurality of turbine blades arranged within a casing, the arrangement including a clearance between tips of the blades and the casing; a plurality of manifolds disposed proximate to the casing opposite the clearance, wherein each of the manifolds includes a plurality of impingement holes in the surface thereof; a source of clearance information; and a source of cooling air for supplying cooling air through a plurality of flow control devices to selected ones of the manifolds according to the clearance information. A system and a method are also provided.02-26-2009
20090068007Mounting System for Impingement Cooling Manifold - A manifold mounting system for mounting an impingement cooling manifold to a casing of a turbine including a mounting pin affixed to a shroud pin of the turbine wherein the mounting pin extends through the impingement cooling manifold wherein the mounting pin comprises a securing device operable for securing the mounting pin to the impingement cooling manifold, and a leveling support leg affixed to the impingement cooling manifold wherein the mounting pin, securing device, and leveling support leg are operable for adjusting the gap distance between the impingement cooling manifold and the casing of the turbine.03-12-2009
20090277266METHODS AND APPARATUS FOR SENSING PARAMETERS OF ROTATING BLADES - A method for monitoring operating parameters of a rotating blade is provided. The blade includes at least one sensor thereon, the sensor operatively coupled to a data acquisition device. The method includes transferring data from the sensor to the data acquisition device, the data relating to blade acceleration measurements, transmitting a signal representative of the transferred data from the data acquisition device to a control system, and controlling blade loads using the transmitted signal.11-12-2009
20100011738HEAT PIPE FOR REMOVING THERMAL ENERGY FROM EXHAUST GAS - Disclosed is a turbomachine including at least one exhaust pathway along which exhaust is directed and released, and at least one exhaust processor capable of removing regulated substances from the exhaust. A plurality of heat pipes are disposed at least partially in the exhaust pathway upstream of the at least one exhaust processor. The plurality of heat pipes are capable of transferring thermal energy from the exhaust to the plurality of heat pipes thus reducing a temperature of the exhaust to increase effectiveness of the at least one exhaust processor. A method for releasing turbomachine exhaust includes urging turbomachine exhaust along at least one exhaust pathway and flowing the exhaust past a plurality of heat pipes. Thermal energy is transferred from the exhaust to the plurality of heat pipes thus reducing a temperature of the exhaust.01-21-2010
20100018180APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR COOLING TURBOMACHINE EXHAUST GAS - Disclosed is a turbomachine including at least one exhaust pathway along which exhaust is directed and released to ambient and at least one exhaust processor capable of removing regulated substances from the exhaust. One or more ambient air inlets are located at the at least one exhaust pathway upstream of the at least one exhaust processor. The at least one exhaust pathway is configured such that ambient air is capable of being urged into the at least one exhaust pathway through the one or more ambient air inlets by an acceleration of the exhaust along the at least one exhaust pathway. The ambient air urged into the at least one exhaust pathway reduces a temperature of the exhaust to increase effectiveness of the at least one exhaust processor. Further disclosed is a method for releasing turbomachine exhaust to ambient.01-28-2010
20100024382HEAT RECOVERY STEAM GENERATOR FOR A COMBINED CYCLE POWER PLANT - A combined cycle power plant includes a gas turbomachine system including a compressor and a gas turbine that extracts work from gases at a first temperature. The combined cycle power plant also includes a steam turbomachine system including at least one steam turbine that extracts work from gases at a second temperature. The combined cycle power plant further includes a heat recovery steam generator having a main housing fluidly connected to the gas turbine. The heat recovery steam generator includes a plurality of heat pipes that extend within the main housing in fluid communication with the gases at the first temperature. The plurality of heat pipes are also in fluid communication with the gases at the second temperature. The plurality of heat pipes absorb heat from the gases at the first temperature and pass the heat into the gases at the second temperature to form gases at a third temperature.02-04-2010
20100024424CONDENSER FOR A COMBINED CYCLE POWER PLANT - A combined cycle power plant includes a steam turbine section having an inlet section and an outlet section. The steam turbine section passes steam from the inlet section toward the outlet section. The combined cycle power plant also includes a condenser fluidly connected to the outlet section of the steam turbine section. The condenser includes a plurality of heat pipes configured to extract latent heat from steam passing from the steam turbine section to form condensed water.02-04-2010
20100024429APPARATUS, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR HEATING FUEL GAS USING GAS TURBINE EXHAUST - An apparatus, a system and a method by which fuel gas to drive a heat source is heated are provided. The apparatus includes a first gas passage by which at least a portion of the fuel gas is transported from an inlet to an outlet, the outlet being fluidly coupled to the heat source, a plurality of heat pipes in thermal communication, at respective first ends thereof, with the portion of the fuel gas transported by the first gas passage, and a heating element, fluidly coupled to the heat source to receive exhaust of the heat source, through which respective second ends of the heat pipes extend to be in position to be heated by the exhaust.02-04-2010
20100025016APPARATUS AND METHOD EMPLOYING HEAT PIPE FOR START-UP OF POWER PLANT - An apparatus to facilitate a start-up operation of a combined cycle or rankine cycle power plant is provided and includes a plurality of heat pipes, each of which respectively includes a first portion in thermal communication with exhaust emitted from a heat source and a second portion in thermal communication with the first portion, a cooling unit to cool the second portions of the heat pipes, and a controller which is configured to control the cooling unit to cool the second portions of the heat pipes and to thereby remove heat from exhaust via the first portions of the heat pipes.02-04-2010
20100028140HEAT PIPE INTERCOOLER FOR A TURBOMACHINE - A turbomachine includes a compressor having an intake portion and an outlet portion. The compressor compresses air received at the intake portion to form a compressed airflow that is passed from the outlet portion. The turbomachine also includes an intercooler operatively connected downstream from the compressor. The intercooler includes a plurality of heat pipes that are configured to extract heat from the compressed airflow.02-04-2010
20100034635Predictive Model Based Control System for Heavy Duty Gas Turbines - A system for controlling the clearance between a turbine blade and the turbine casing that includes an impingement cooling manifold attached to a turbine casing, a temperature sensing device for determining the temperature of the turbine casing, a blower, a control system logic for determining the setting temperature of the casing, and a controller for controlling the blower, wherein the blower forces air onto the impingement cooling manifold to cool the casing towards the setting temperature and control the clearance.02-11-2010
20100040482EJECTORS WITH SEPARABLY SECURED NOZZLES, ADJUSTABLE SIZE NOZZLES, OR ADJUSTABLE SIZE MIXING TUBES - An ejector comprising a motive inlet, a motive nozzle separably secured to the motive inlet, a suction chamber about the motive nozzle, a suction fluid inlet to the suction chamber, a mixing tube in fluid communication with the suction chamber and the motive nozzle, a diffuser in fluid communication with the mixing tube and distal the suction chamber and the motive nozzle, and an outlet from the diffuser is provided. A nozzle comprising at least two concentric arc nozzle portions is also provided. An ejector comprising a mixing tube including a flexible layer adapted to compress or stretch, thereby allowing a mixing tube diameter to change is further provided.02-18-2010
20100043442DIMPLED SERRATED FINTUBE STRUCTURE - Disclosed is a fin tube for thermal energy transfer of turbomachine exhaust including a tube disposable in an exhaust stream of a turbomachine and a plurality of fins extending from an outer surface of the tube. Each fin includes a plurality of adjacent fin segments which are separated by a serration. At least one fin segment of the plurality of fin segments includes at least one dimple thereon. The at least one dimple increases a turbulence of exhaust flow across the at least one fin segment and increases a surface area of the at least one fin segment thereby increasing a thermal energy transfer capability of the fin tube. Further disclosed is a combined cycle power plant utilizing the fin tube and a method for operating the combined cycle power plant.02-25-2010
20100054926SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR THERMAL MANAGEMENT OF A GAS TURBINE INLET - A thermal management system includes: a turbine assembly including an inlet housing, a compressor in fluid communication with the inlet housing, a power turbine in fluid communication with the compressor, and an exhaust assembly in fluid communication with the power turbine; and at least one heat pipe having a first portion disposed in thermal communication with the inlet housing and a second portion disposed in thermal communication with the exhaust assembly, the at least one heat pipe configured to transfer thermal energy from the exhaust assembly to at least one of input gas entering the inlet housing and at least one component of the inlet housing.03-04-2010
20100064655SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MANAGING TURBINE EXHAUST GAS TEMPERATURE - A system for thermal management of exhaust gas includes: a nozzle configured to be disposed in fluid communication with an exhaust of a turbomachine; a mixing conduit in fluid communication with the nozzle; at least one secondary inlet disposed around a periphery of the nozzle and extending between an exterior of the mixing conduit and an interior of the mixing conduit; a variable nozzle mechanism configured to be movable between i) a first position in which the mechanism is configured to close the at least one secondary inlet and ii) a second position in which the mechanism is configured to open the at least one secondary inlet and adjust a selected diameter of the nozzle; and an actuator configured to move the variable nozzle mechanism between the first position and the second position.03-18-2010
20100095648Combined Cycle Power Plant - A combined cycle power plant including a gas turbine, a steam turbine and a heat recovery generator, for thermally connecting the gas turbine and the steam turbine. The heat recovery steam generator has a duct for receiving hot exhaust gas from the gas turbine. The heat recovery steam generator is also associated with a heating system for receiving feed water for heating to steam. A heat pipe having a first end disposed within the duct operates to remove heat there from. A second end of the heat pipe disposed within the heating system operates to transfer heat to the feed water.04-22-2010
20100096474Gas Turbine Ejector and Method of Operation - An ejector system and method of operation for combining high and low pressure fluid flow streams is disclosed. A nozzle chamber communicates with a high pressure fluid flow stream and a suction chamber communicates with a low pressure fluid flow stream. The outlet of the nozzle chamber exit into the suction chamber and include multiple nozzles such that the high pressure flow stream exits the nozzle chamber in multiple flow streams having multiple surface areas for interlayer drag between the flows. The low pressure fluid flow stream is entrained by the high pressure fluid flow streams exiting the multiple nozzles to define an intermediate pressure flow stream.04-22-2010
20100107595COMBINED CYCLE POWER PLANT - A combined cycle power plant includes at least one gas turbine, at least one steam turbine and a heat recovery boiler in combination to produce electricity and/or process steam. The heat recovery boiler has a duct for receiving and confining gas turbine exhaust gas from the gas turbine. Heat transfer tubes for heating water and steam for use in the bottoming steam cycle (steam turbine and/or process steam) are disposed within the heat recovery boiler and have exterior surfaces in fluid communication with the gas turbine exhaust gas and interior surfaces in circulatory fluid communication with water and/or steam. A cellular material is attached to the exterior surfaces of the heat transfer tubes and operates to enhance heat transfer from the gas turbine exhaust gas to the water and/or steam.05-06-2010
20100118914EXTERNALLY ADJUSTABLE IMPINGEMENT COOLING MANIFOLD MOUNT AND THERMOCOUPLE HOUSING - A mount includes a mounting bolt attached to a casing; an internal bushing that engages the casing at a distal end of the internal bushing; and an external bushing that engages a manifold and engages the internal bushing. The internal bushing is adjustable with respect to the external bushing thereby allowing the manifold to be adjustable with respect to the casing.05-13-2010
20100154781SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR HEATING A FUEL USING A SOLAR HEATING SYSTEM - An embodiment of the present invention may take the form of a system and method that may use at least one solar heating system to heat the fuel consumed by a turbomachine. An embodiment of the present invention may incorporate concentrated solar power (CSP). Generally, CSP systems incorporate a plurality of lenses, mirrors, or combinations thereof and a tracking system to focus a large area of sunlight forming a small concentrated beam of light. The concentrated light may then be used as a heat source. In an embodiment of the present invention, the heat source may be used to partially or completely heat the fuel consumed by a turbomachine. CSP systems may take the form of a solar trough system, a parabolic dish system, a solar power tower system, or the like.06-24-2010
20100162708METHODS, APPARATUS AND/OR SYSTEMS RELATING TO FUEL DELIVERY SYSTEMS FOR INDUSTRIAL MACHINERY - An assembly for delivering a supply of liquid fuel and a supply of purge air to a gas turbine engine, the assembly comprising: an annular dual-flow check valve for controlling the flow through concentric channels that have a common outlet, the annular dual-flow check valve comprising: an outer body and an inner body that define the concentric channels, which include an outer channel and an inner channel formed therein; a spring activated annular poppet that resides in the outer channel and has a range of motion in the axial direction; and an opening through the inner body that connects the outer channel to the inner channel; wherein the axial movement of the annular poppet is regulated by the pressure of the flow upstream of the annular poppet in the outer channel; and the axial range of motion of the annular poppet includes at least two axial positions.07-01-2010
20100170265Variable Geometry Ejector - An ejector for a turbine engine is described herein. The ejector may include a variable geometry motive nozzle and a variable geometry mixing tube positioned downstream of the variable geometry motive nozzle.07-08-2010
20100186443HEAT TRANSFER TUBES - A combined cycle power plant includes a first generator driven by a gas turbine for generating electricity. The combined cycle power plant further includes a heat recovery steam generator disposed to receive exhaust gas from the gas turbine. The heat recovery steam generator includes an evaporator having tubes receptive to water flow therethrough. The tubes are disposed to be exposed to the exhaust gas, such that a flow of the exhaust gas passes around the tubes transfers heat from the exhaust gas to the tubes and thereby the water flowing through the tubes sufficient for the water to evaporate into steam. The tubes each having an outer surface with a plurality of deformations formed therein sufficient to introduce turbulence in the flow of the exhaust gas for enhancing heat transfer from the exhaust gas to the tubes.07-29-2010
20100232945TURBOMACHINE INLET HEATING SYSTEM - A turbomachine system includes a compressor having a compressor intake and a compressor extraction outlet, and an inlet system fluidly connected to the compressor intake and the compressor extraction outlet. The inlet system includes a plenum having a first end portion that extends to a second end portion through an intermediate portion. The inlet system also includes a heating system having a plurality of conduits extending horizontally through the intermediate portion of the plenum and arranged in a vertical relationship. Heated air from the compressor extraction outlet passes through the plurality of conduits and raises a temperature of ambient air passing through the plenum and into the compressor intake.09-16-2010
20100263350APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR COOLING A TURBINE USING HEAT PIPES - The turbine section of the turbine engine is provided with a flow of cooling air which is taken from a compressor section of the turbine engine. The air received from the compressor section is itself cooled before the air is delivered to the turbine. Heat is removed from the flow of air by a plurality of heat pipes which conduct heat away from the flow of air to lower the temperature of the air before it is provided to the turbine.10-21-2010
20100282456FINNED TUBE HEAT EXCHANGER - A heat exchanger comprises a tube and fins extending from an outer surface of the tube. The fins comprise first and second sets of fins with the first set of fins oriented in a first direction with respect to an axial direction of the tube and the second set of fins oriented in a second direction with respect to the axial direction of the tube to expose at least a portion of the first and second sets of fins to a free stream.11-11-2010
20110030331Ammonia Injection System - In one embodiment, a system includes an emissions reduction system including a compressor in fluid communication with a catalyst mixing tank. The compressor is configured to output an air flow configured to deliver catalyst from the catalyst mixing tank to a catalyst injection grid. A temperature of the air flow is increased by the compressor.02-10-2011
20110100020APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR TURBINE ENGINE COOLING - A turbine engine comprises a turbine housing, a turbine disposed in the turbine housing that is configured to receive hot combustion gas, a turbine component subject to thermal energy from the hot combustion gas and a cooling system disposed externally of the turbine housing and having a cooling medium disposed therein. A heat pipe has a high temperature end in communication with the turbine component and a low temperature end extending out of the turbine housing in communication with the cooling medium in the cooling system for transferring the thermal energy from the component to the cooling medium.05-05-2011
20110103939TURBINE ROTOR BLADE TIP AND SHROUD CLEARANCE CONTROL - A gas turbine engine includes a turbine shell that is configured to retain a turbine rotor shroud adjacent to a turbine rotor blade. A heat pipe has a first end in thermal communication with the turbine shell and a second end extending outwardly of the shell. A heating/cooling system is in thermal communication with the second end of the heat pipe and has a thermal medium configurable to exchange thermal energy with the second end of the heat pipe. The thermal medium is configurable to remove thermal energy from the second end of the heat pipe to remove thermal energy from the turbine shell and is configurable to add thermal energy to the second end of the heat pipe to add thermal energy to the turbine shell.05-05-2011
20110132571SYSTEMS RELATING TO GEOTHERMAL ENERGY AND THE OPERATION OF GAS TURBINE ENGINES - A geothermal heat exchange system for use in a gas turbine power plant that includes an inlet plenum that directs a flow of air to a compressor that compresses a flow of air that is then mixed with a fuel and combusted in a combustor such that the resulting flow of hot gas is directed through a turbine, the geothermal heat exchange system comprising means for exchanging heat between a ground and the flow of air moving through the inlet plenum.06-09-2011

Patent applications by Hua Zhang, Greer, SC US